Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

Kell nuzzled close against Kate. He almost felt foolish. Of course it would be Brogan who managed to reach her. "I think that's all we could possibly ask," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Would you stay while I slept?" Kate asked him, knowing it was a lot to ask when he was practically running the country for her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"If you don't mind me falling asleep too," Kell muttered, his exhaustion becoming clearer.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Do you mind, little cub?" Kate asked as she looked down at Brogan who was still content to simply cling to his mother. "I take that as no."

She let out a sigh as Kell helped her to lay back down, Brogan covered in the thick quilt from the bed to keep him warm. He was tucked between the both of them, tiny fingers lacing through his father's thick fur as he nuzzled against his mother's warm skin.

 

[KieranSoares]

The little cub continued to rumble happily with each exhale until he drifted back to sleep with the occasional cough that he'd grown too used to to be bothered by. Kell was close behind, not caring that he was in his uniform as he found good rest for the first time in weeks.

Before Kate could follow, the door opened silently and Qira stepped in. He came to the bed and laid a blanket over Kell and tucked Kate in more securely with a kiss to her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Take care of both of them, Qira.” Kate said softly as the panther draped a blanket over Kell and then over her. “They are my world.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I take care of all of you," Qira responded simply in his native tongue. "For better or for worse." He brushed a lock of her hair back fondly. "That's what Rissa and I are here for."

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine had woke that morning well after Alex had left. He had a duty to do and she had her own. She had dressed in her uniform, working with the drakes throughout the morning. She had paused to eat lunch beside Fatin and Bahir, both drakes lazing in the sun like two large house cats.

 

[KieranSoares]

Something new had happened with the two drake's that Yasmine was now witness to. Bahir never let anyone touch his face on the side where he was blind save Yasmine only as needed, but now, he didn't seem to mind as Fatin nuzzled into the side of his face or rested his head against Bahir's.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Wassim, I think you have an ardent admirer.” Yasmine said with a chuckle, biting into her boiled egg as she watched the drakes interact.

 

[KieranSoares]

Bahir rumbled at his pet name, purring like a cat as Fatin licked his face fondly and began grooming his mane.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Fatin, beastie, leave him be.” Yasmine said as he began to groom Bahir in earnest, licking his mane until it stood up at various angles.

 

[KieranSoares]

Fatin snorted, looking to her as Bahir shook his mane and laid back in the grass to roll and cover himself in it's scent. Fatin decided to wander to Yasmine, settling beside her.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re a good drake but a pest.” Yasmine said, offering him an egg as Bahir got himself sorted out by rolling in the grass.

 

[KieranSoares]

Fatin ate gingerly from her hand, quite content at the attention. Bahir soon rejoined them, Yasmine between them. To passersby, she looked like a proper beast tamer. A woman settled between two great beasts twice her size, with full control of them.

 

[heartofcourage]

“And you need to stop being such a push over.” Yasmine scolded Bahir as he settled at her side with a rumble.

The three of them sat together like that until she spotted Alex heading their way and Fatin sat at attention.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex had reassumed his usual role as healer quite neatly, though with decidedly less exhaustion. He seemed fairly content, even if his cousin's low state bothered him.

"Fatin," Alex greeted the drake fondly, scratching his dark bearded chin. Fatin purred, stretching out his neck, and looked a bit disappointed when Alex stepped away to greet Bahir with a fond Pat and then Yasmine with a kiss.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm afraid that your drake has formed an attachment to mine." Yasmine said as Alex greeted her with a kiss and Fatin rumbled in disappointment. "Perhaps he's just making up for lost time, but he certainly seems to be connected at the hip with Bahir."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Drakes can have mates of the same sex. Most people just don't allow them to do so," Alex said with a smile to the two great reptiles. "It's a question of whether they consider themselves siblings or mates, really. We'll find out when one of them sees a beautiful lady."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Are you saying I’m not a pretty lady?” Yasmine asked, cocking an eyebrow at him as he talked about their drakes and she teased him mercilessly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"A pretty drake lady. They're already in love with you anyway." Alex smiled lightly at her teasing. "I'd say you're taken anyway, but I won't be possessive."

 

[heartofcourage]

“So you’re saying that you’re my man?” She asked with a grin as he took a seat beside her, Bahir butting him with his head.

 

[KieranSoares]

"If you'd like. I'm perfectly content to belong," Alex nodded with a handsome grin before taking Bahir's head to give his chin and neck a good scratch. The great beast tipped over on his side with a long rumbling sigh of contentment.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine heard a whine over her shoulder, Fatin lamenting that his master was scratching another drake under the chin. “You’ll get your turn too, Fatin. Just be patient.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex grinned and made the drake wait a little longer before turning to smooth his fingers through Fatin's beard and mane, making him roll on his side happily.